“I’ll make up my own mind about you.”Months after he was mugged in Houston, legal secretary Jasper Barnes is still hiding out in Hidden Creek. Self-defense classes would boost his confidence. Problem is, the guy offering them is Chad Allaback, and he has a reputation, to say the least. So why does Jasper feel an irresistible pull toward him?Six months after his wakeup call, Chad is too afraid of … call, Chad is too afraid of his past to reach out to those around him in his hometown. Accepting help from Jasper when he finds out he’s about to lose his home is the hardest thing he’s done. Can he really change now?
Self-defense lessons quickly turn into a sizzling, secret connection. When neither man is sure if they can trust their heart to the other, they hit a breaking point all too quickly. It’s going to take a Hidden Creek miracle to heal their scars and find redemption in each other’s arms.
Welcome to Hidden Creek, Texas, where the heart knows what it wants, and where true love lives happily ever after. Every Men of Hidden Creek novel can be read on its own, but keep an eye out for familiar faces around town! This book contains a changed man, gossip text chains, and a sassy twink kissing his unexpected savior.
more
Redemption is part of the Men of Hidden Creek series, a multi-author series with shared characters and a shared setting. The series is set up in Seasons, which reminded me of a Hallmark Channel TV series. Redemption is book 6 of Season 4. However, although Redemption is part of a bigger series, it was very easy to read it as a standalone. I’ve never read a Men of Hidden Creek book before, but I was really interested in the series since a few of my favorite authors write for series. Redemption was very easy to follow as a newcomer to Hidden Creek, but I could definitely tell there was a lot of history behind each character. E. Davies did an amazing job balancing explaining the history of the characters to newbies like me but also building on to this history and giving series fans a treat at hanging out with previous favorite characters.
I really liked Redemption. I thought the plot was well done with a lot of introspection and personal growth for both characters. Chad has been a jerk most of his life, and watching his redemption arch (the title of this book is not subtle) was really touching. He is such a sensitive man who previously internalized the worst of masculine toxicity much to his detriment. Jasper was the brightness and confidence that Chad needed to get his life in order. I love everything about Jasper, from his spunky personality to his amazing professionalism. He was a wonderful character.
Nick J. Russo narrated the audiobook and did a fantastic job with it. I love his voice and how smoothly he can switch from character to character. I had no trouble keeping track of who was talking and easily followed along in the story. The performance was well done and the audiobook was well produced.
* AUDIOBOOK REVIEW *
Another good story in this series. I liked it very much, it had some insecurities, love and people’s personalities developing from bad to good.
No unnecessary descriptions of surroundings
Good dialogues
Secondary characters that helped make the story as good as it could be.
Characters is well described and developed in to realistic personalities
Good chemistry between Jasper and Chad that was very sweet in the build up of their relationship
Narrator:
As always read with feelings and clear pronunciation
Another joyful 5 stars overall
This is a FANTASTIC series!!! HIDDEN CREEK still is the BEST town in Texas. This story is based on the relationship of Chad and Jasper. I fell in love with these characters. I enjoy how characters from other books are mentioned but never crowd the current storyline. I love that they encourage getting help from professionals when the need arises. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK AND THIS POSITIVE SERIES!!!!!
5 stars
Heat Level: 4
Narration: 5
A perfect and powerful redeeming redemption story! Proves how valuable second chances can be!
I haven’t read the previous seasons of the Men of Hidden Creek, so didn’t know the troubling past of Chad and his previous actions. However, I felt Ed was able to draw us into Chad’s life, mind and past regrets that I didn’t really feel like I was missing anything. I felt for Chad and his overwhelming regret, guilt and his desire to change and grow in spite of his past actions and less than savory dealings. Chad wants to change and is trying so, so hard.
My heart did break at various points throughout this story as Chad had to face many roadblocks, the backlash from the town and continually face being seen as the same ‘disgrace’ he felt he was before.
I loved Jasper, his story and his attraction to Chad, that, thankfully he doesn’t fight and decides to make up his own mind about the person in front of him rather than judge Chads past. As they both face their own hardships, I loved the simmering attraction and fledgling relationship they start in spite of it all. There back and forth and miscommunication is endearingly adorable and I felt Jasper and Chad are perfectly matched and make each other want to better versions of themselves!
This was an emotional read but I loved it! A fantastic redemption story to prove people can change and heal from the guilt and mistakes of their pasts!
As with this whole season of Hidden Creek Nick’s narration is fantastic!
Thanks for reading! For great stories, reviews and more please visit https://bookstattoosandtea.wordpress.com
Chad has been seen as the bad guy but we had seen that he was trying to change. Now, we know what made Chad the way he was and see how he is struggling to show he’s changed. Jasper is hiding the fear that he has carried after a mugging. As these two move from friends to more, you will cheer Chad on and smile as they fall in love.
I think I have a serious thing for heartbroken heroes. Chad has definitely pulled so many awful stunts in his life that redemption is more than just a need, it’s a soul-deep desire that he finds within himself. I adore how hard he works to change himself, that taking responsibility for his actions sets him on a path to finding love, but more than that, he finds the peace and forgiveness only he can give himself.
Jasper rubs me the wrong way at first, not because of his general personality, but because of his underlying motives for taking Chad on with the self-defense class. I’m always bothered when someone uses other peoples’ hate or meanness as an excuse to be just as awful in return. Setting out to hurt someone because they hurt someone you know, and not because you know what actually went down between them, is appalling to me. Thankfully Jasper sees very quickly that, beyond their chemistry, there’s something sweet, earnest, and so very vulnerable about Chad. Jasper’s own issues throw a wrench in their budding relationship, but at no point does it seem like Jasper is trying to change who Chad fundamentally is, he just has a not-so-great way of helping him which gets painfully misconstrued. It’s when Jasper finally becomes honest with himself and others that I truly enjoy him.
Because of Chad I spent most of the book with tears in my eyes. It was a bit much to read his negative thoughts over and over, but I can’t deny that I was always moved by it. He was so hurt repeatedly and his self-sabotaging behavior never helped him either, but his yearning for love made him so redeemable for me. Seeing him evolve into someone capable of standing up for himself and others when it really matters, growing to love himself in spite of what he came from and all the bad things he did…it was beautiful.
The relationship was more of a slow-burn in that it took them longer than expected to find themselves more sensually linked. Their thoughts were spicy enough, but when they finally got down to clothing removal, the embers had grown hot enough to set of some serious sparks. In their intimacy they were also able to discover new things about themselves, mainly Chad, and it gave an extra layer of sweetness to his life change. Overall I was so pleased by the story and all the hope that was there carrying Chad and their relationship. There’s nowhere safer to find their place in life and in love than in Hidden Creek.
***Major Spoilers***
I don’t usually post this many spoilers, but I could not say what I needed to without them. Apologies all around.
I don’t recall seeing Jasper in previous books. He is a good character with a great personality. He is responsible, friendly, and easy to be around. And he is accepting. That last one is the most important one to start with. He gives Chad a chance that no one else will give him. Gives him a bit of trust even though he knows about his past. He treats Chad like a person of quality and leaves the door open for Chad to be more than he was before. He needs Chad to help him with the issues that sent him home to Hidden Creek with his tail between his legs, but that quickly turns into more. Emotionally and physically. And the spicy parts are very well done with lots of sizzle. Mmmmmm.
Chad did not make any friends in previous books. He was a horrible character that had no redeeming qualities. Until this author got a hold of him. Chad hit rock bottom, and no one knew. No one except this author. Chad’s hopes and fears were coaxed out of him and put on these pages with little regard for the delicate feelings of the reader, which is as it should be. He deserves the chance to let it all out and breath more freely as the pressure that has built up over the years is released.
No matter what Chad did earlier in life, no one wanted him. No one wanted to spend time with him or get to know him. Everyone always wanted him to be someone different — not himself. His parents treated him the same as everyone else and never showed him love, affection, or approval. Everyone has memories of what he was not. Not what he was. He was a good person. But he was pushed away and ignored by everyone. So, he started acting out. For attention and as an f%#* you. So, now he is a pariah.
He was friends with someone with just as bad a reputation because he was the only person who would be his friend, and did things to impress this person so that he would continue to be his friend. He was desperately lonely and did anything he could to gain a connection with someone.
After he finally hit rock bottom, he made the conscious decision to change. He knew it wouldn’t be easy, but he felt it was worth it. And he struggled. Not so much with changing his ways, but with the fact that no one noticed. He was still the pariah. OMG. My heart broke for him over and over. I cried the tears that he was hesitant to shed. The constant pain and defeat he suffered throughout his life scarred him in ways that most wouldn’t understand. He has been ignored, belittled, rebuked, and denied his entire life. He is trying to make the necessary changes to improve his life and make himself into someone, by being his true self, that others will like and respect, but it is a constant uphill battle — poor, poor guy. I want to hug him and squeeze him and give him all the love he missed out on over the years.
I think this is my favorite book of all the Hidden Creek books because out of all of them; Chad needs this HEA the most. Even Jasper, as good as he is, is secondary to my desire to see Chad finally win. Not grand prizes and applause from all, but respect and acceptance. Respect from within and acceptance that that part of his life is over and he is more now. And the burgeoning respect from those around him, even the ones he hurt the most, which will lead them to accept him as a good person and as an upstanding member of the community. I just teared up again. I do believe that this author has wrecked me. It’s funny, but it’s not. Because for an author to have this impact while reading fiction, good fiction but fiction nonetheless, and still hurting my heart two weeks later says something about the connection that author has to the characters and to the reader.
It’s not necessary to read the other Men of Hidden Creek books to understand and enjoy this one, but I liked knowing exactly what happened in those because it made this one all the more heartwrenching as Chad found his redemption in the end.
I am having a hard time writing this review because I can’t easily communicate the overwhelming pain. I rarely have a lag time between books, but I had to take a break after this one. I needed space to find my balance after such emotional trauma. I hate/love E. Davies for putting me thru this.
But, as always… I look forward to more from this author.
Now, I’ve not read the book where Chad was ‘the bad guy’ (TM), so I went into this book with no strong feelings about Chad. I saw a man who had made bad choices, who life had beaten down at every turn and he’d reacted badly to that beating, like a whipped dog biting the hand that feeds them. But a man who was try to put things right and questioning every action and reaction because of his past decisions. Jasper was a good guy but Chad, Chad just broke my damn heart, time and time again.
My favourite book of this series (although I did miss not having a visit to the summer fair!). Loved it.
Another great proof that you cannot go wrong with this series! A great story on the same awesome level as the other parts, with all the feels and charm.
Absolutely loved it! Perfect title. We met Chad throughout Ed’s Hidden creek books & he was not a nice guy. To see how he opened up & accepted himself as others did was simply the best. Jasper was a perfect match for him. Great work Ed! I was offered an ARC or an honest review
For those who’ve read at least one of the preceding books in this series, this is about a really bad guy, homophobic closeted a$$hole, who maybe, just maybe, might be able to come to terms with his own life and what it means to not attack as the only defense.
For those who haven’t yet met Chad, this is a standalone, but with ample referrals to past actions that put one of the two protagonists in a very bad place in the community.
Emotionally charged, with a slightly exaggerated optimistic outlook, great character development and very believable descriptions of fears, doubts, insecurities and hesitations in a tender, new relationship.
This story has a lot about just why a bully will be a bully, and optimistically learning how not to be.
Loved it!
Redemption is a great addition to the Men of Hidden Creek series. Each of the books in the Men of Hidden Creek series are standalone books. However as the books are set in the same small town, it does greatly enhance the reading experience if you have read the other books in the Men of Hidden Creek series by E. Davies. Some of the things that happened in the other books have influenced what Chad has gone through and why he is trying to redeem himself in this book. Especially since Jasper is friends with a lot of the people that Chad has wronged in the past. The book has plenty of heat and chemistry, drama, forgiveness, misunderstandings, and a happily ever after ending. I really enjoyed getting to know Jasper and the new Chad. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
this book will have you in tears!!! some cause you just can’t help the emotions you feel and other because what the characters are saying or doing just has you laughing to tears (until you pee)
my favorite story of the season hands down and hopefully they will continue with more Hidden Creek
A beautiful story of redemption and love that has all the feels for me! I loved the tone and pace of this story. I really felt i got to know these MC’s and i became invested in their happiness. I enjoyed the depth and scope of the character development and i so enjoyed the supporting friends.
Chad and Jasper both have their issues and they both find new beginnings in this story. These guys will warm your heart and steam up your kindle. Each man finds themselves and i love how their connection grows and becomes so much more,
i highly recommend this book!
This is part of the Men of Hidden Creek series and can be read as a stand-alone.
I was gifted this book from the author and i freely give my honest opinion and review.
Redemption by E. Davies is the sixth book in the fourth season releases of the Men of Hidden Creek series. It is a contemporary M/M romance about two men looking for a second chance at life who end up finding so much more. Chad has a lot to make up for in order to redeem himself to the town of Hidden Creek but he is determined to become a new and better man. Jasper left the city to come to the smaller and safer town of Hidden Creek after a traumatic mugging. Jasper and Chad start out as friends, a self defence instructor and his student… but soon their chemistry can not be denied and we are treated to a sweet but oh so sexy love story between these two great characters. This story is filled with drama/angst, humor, friendship and romance. A great addition to Hidden Creek.
I received an advanced reader’s copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review and recommendation.